Lights!

Dearest Colt and Jax,

Our holiday traditions continued as we went on a light tour.  While I absolutely love the houses in our neighborhood, most folks around here are super traditional and we're surrounded by perfectly outlined rooftops all in white and/or red.  There is an inflatable every now and then but not much to stop and stare at so we followed yonder star over to Addison to take in the lights at Vitruvian Park.  This was a first for us so we weren't aware that there was so much space to walk around.  Next year we will all dress more weather-appropriate so that we can enjoy the lights a bit longer.

 

 Our favorite finds were the houses with lights set to music.  While difficult to photograph, here were our Top 5 this year:

Grandma & Grandpa win coziest house award!

Of course, we had to stop to admire THE tree too!

 

 Maybe, if we start decorating now, the outside of our house can be one worth admiring next year?!?

Party, party, party!

Dearest Jackson and Colt,

We had a few fun parties on our calendar this year and they really added to our holiday spirit!  The first was "Friends-mas" and the Facklers hosted it at their house.

When you weren't decorating cookies, eating dinner, or taking this picture, we tried to keep y'all upstairs so that us adults could do a gift exchange and play a hilarious game of cards downstairs.

Up next were the parties in your classrooms.   After asking if you wanted us to join you for it, Jax you told us no so I grabbed this shot from your teacher's twitter page.

 Colt, you made it known that you wanted me to party with you so I sneaked away from my class for a little bit and joined your fun.

Unfortunately, your dad's company decided against partying this year : (

My "company" celebrated with a fun dinner at a teammate's house -- but families weren't included : (

Our final party was hosted by our neighborhood association at a ranch right down the road.  It was fun having so many neighbors in one spot & there was plenty to do that night!

(Not pictured:  the game room, the yummy buffet/bar, and the awesome live band!)

 These parties were inspiring...now I'm thinking that maybe we should host a little something next year!?!!

Santa

Dearest Jackson & Colton,

Bass Pro came through yet again this year!  Dad got there not long after they opened on Sunday and found out there was a THREE HOUR wait to see Mr. Claus!  Thanks to their ticketing system, y'all got to wait around the house and had some guy time while I went shopping with Grandma.  Once we all met back at BPS, we only had to wait a short while for our turn with Jolly Ol' Saint Nick.  He listened to the both of you as you told him what you happened to be interested in at that moment and then took the time to pose for me, and Grandma, and Bass Pro's photographer!

I'm only a tad emotional about the fact that you're both bigger than "lap sitting size" now...

Afterwards, you both had to try your hand at target practice.

But this racetrack was the major attention grabber.  You would've controlled that remote all afternoon, if we'd let you! 

We wrapped up our fun with a carousel ride.  It was moving at a snail's pace and you were a little goofy about the whole thing, Jax.

Colt, you looked at precious as ever on that reindeer!  And you needed my help getting down -- which helped make up for the whole "Santa standing" nonsense.

 I hope we can fit in another year or two of Bass Pro fun!

ICE!

Dearest Boys,

We kicked off our holiday traditions by visiting the Gaylord with 3/4 of the Vaughns.  We went nice and early (the week of Thanksgiving break - good: tickets were half price & crowd levels were low, bummer: Dad had to work) and it was the perfect way to get us in the holiday spirit!

This was this year's theme and it was my favorite so far!  After teaching this exact concept for years, I thought it was so neat to see everything in ice!

These ice slides are always a long wait and that's when the 9 degree temperatures really hit you, but you still stuck it out for a few trips.

Regardless of the theme, the last room always has the same display and it's my favorite! After filling the other rooms with moving parts and colorful designs, I love the simplicity used the carve the nativity.  One year I might even learn to photograph in this tricky room...

We skipped the sno-tubes this year and let y'all do a snowball shoot out instead.  It still took some waiting around, which was fine since I was waiting with this fun chica:

What an "Ice" start to the holiday season ; )

Innocence

Dearest Colton,

I watched you the other day as I was cooking dinner.  You were playing in the backyard all by yourself and you were captivating (and not just because of your outfit from "crazy day" at school!)!  You were the epitome of JOY and I just had to join you!  I sat on the lounge chair nearby and snapped a few pictures as you continued being the perfect, 5-year-old, little boy.

While I know that starting kindergarten was the best decision for you, I also have to admit that it's aged you rapidly.  You've shifted from carefree to a bit more conscientious.  You've gone from a social extrovert to a slightly timid situational tester.  You've also become aware and reflective.

Just a few days before this joyous scene, you broke down the last few months of school in a nonchalant, one-sided conversation with me.  You told me that September was not so good and that you lost a lot of stickers (your teacher's behavior management system), that October was better because you only had to walk a few laps (a consequence of said system), and November was going great because you learned how to make better choices.

I know you weren't seeking my sympathy, but listening to you made me ache as I wished you could see yourself through my eyes.  Even if stickers are lost or laps have to be walked, I think you're precious and I know your heart. 

And I think that's why I just had to join you outside that afternoon....because your playful, innocent, fun behavior matched exactly to the way I see you.